Women must, and do, have an important voice in the analysis of their breast problem. They have the right to information about various methods that, implemented separately, never result in a 100% guarantee. New treatments should be based on the individual, the biological variation of breast cancer and factors that influence the course of the illness.
Instead of following standard protocol, therapy should be more tailored to the individual woman who has breast cancer, taking into account her tolerance for (chemo) therapy as well as her wishes and problems.
Most women with breast cancer who are treated with chemotherapy due to an advanced stage of the disease experience only temporary improvement (16%) and just a few percent are still alive 10 years after undergoing chemotherapy.
New approaches and options for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer that are primarily being explored abroad are:
- Immunotherapy
- Hyperthermia
- Laser therapy
- Condition training
If a woman wants a second opinion, she should be able to get one
If a woman with a lump in her breast is concerned about a given diagnosis or a proposed treatment, she’s entitled to a second opinion. There are situations where the doctor proposes a standard treatment. As soon as there are various medical options available, however, the opinion of the woman can play a decisive role. Consultation with a second specialist can therefore prove to be very useful, whether it takes place at the Borstpoli or at a hospital.
Insight into a prognosis
During the period surrounding the diagnosis, the treatment and in the following months, the mental resilience of a woman with breast cancer is put to the test. This often involves fear and feelings of depression. Even cancer patients with a good prognosis and women who’ve been successfully treated may have difficulty processing their illness. It’s estimated that this applies to 20 to 30 percent of patients who, at least for the time being, have been cured. These processing problems are often manifested in forms that aren’t clearly apparent, such as fatigue, vague pain and sleep disorders.
The aim of the treatment is to provide an insight into the prognosis so as to be able to process it by discussing it. The treatment is not determined by its duration. Both long-term and short-term therapy appear to be effective. The results are predominantly positive in terms of contributing to the quality of life of the cancer patient. There is no consensus as to whom this type of therapeutic support should be offered. Many in the medical profession believe it can benefit every patient.